On forcing Roses. 



123 



under* glass, blow naturally at all seasons ; but those varieties 

 which we only see in summer, especially the Provence, red Pro- 

 vence, moss Provence, and white Provence. A few plants of the 

 maiden's blush, damask rose, red rose, and York and Lancaster 

 may be admitted after January, but they do not succeed 

 sooner. 



Take off strong suckers about the end of October or be- 

 ginning of November, with all the fibres they may have formed, 

 which can only be well done by digging up the parent stock. 

 Plant these suckers in pots only about four inches diameter at 

 the top, winding the sucker three, four, or five times round 

 the inside of the pot, and prune it more or less according to 

 its length, so as to leave no more than two buds, or three at 

 most, above ground. Fill the pots with hazel loam, mixed 

 with one third of vegetable mould, pressing it firmly down to 

 keep the sucker from starting, and plunge them to the brim 

 close to one another, quincunx fashion, in an open bed, fully 

 exposed to the sun and air. The small size of these pots 

 may surprise many gardeners, but the plant will produce 

 stronger blossoms in them than might be supposed, even 

 the first year, if the suckers are large ; and as they are to be 

 shifted annually, it is absolutely necessary to begin with 

 small pots. To have a plentiful supply of blossoms during 

 the months of December, January, February, March, April, 

 and May, from 100 to 300 suckers must be thus prepared. 



For the plants to be forced 

 from December to March, a 

 small frame should be de- 

 voted, about twelve feet long, 

 five feet wide, seven feet 

 high behind, and only six 

 or eight inches in front 

 (Jig. 21.) ; this pitch I have 

 found b long experience to 

 admit the rays of the sun or 

 light, at that period, to strike 

 upon the plants to the great- 

 est advantage. I prefer a 

 flue running through the 

 whole floor from one end 

 to the other, which, if built 

 thick, and the fire-place as 

 well as chimney-top be well — r 

 closed up, after the heat has 

 penetrated the flue, the air 

 within will be sufficiently 



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